Attachment for operating electric-light switches.



W. S. SEARLES. APPARATUS FOR OPERATING ELECTRIC LIGHT SWITCHES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 0.1917- Patented Dec. 31, 1918.

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" sane WAYNE S. SEARLES, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

ATTACHMENT FOR OPERATING ELECTRIC-LIGHT SWITCHES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

- Patented Dec. 31, 1918.

Application filed July 20, 1917. Serial No. 181,672.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WAYNE S. SEARLEs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newark, county of Essex, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Attachments for Operating Electric-Light Switches, of which the fOllOWlIlg is a specification.

My invention has for its object to provide a device which may be attached to electric light fixtures and so connected and associated with the switchor switch control button that the latter may be operated thereby for turning on and off the current,more generally referred to as turning on and out the electric light. i

A further and more specifically'stated object of my invention is to provide a device readily attachable to some part of the electric light fixture and having means which may be placed in engagement with the switch control button.

It also is an object of my invention to provide a device which not only may be readily attached to electric light fixtures already installed but whichalso may be manufactured cheaply and economically and which may be readily connected with and disconnected from such fixtures.

In order that my invention may be more fully understood and its practical and com mercial advantages" appreciated reference should be had to the accompanying drawing in which Ihave illustrated one form of a convenient embodiment of a device constructed in accordance with my said invention. It will be understood, however, that changes in the details of construction may be made within the scope of the claimsfwithout departing .from my invention as disclosed herein. 7

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an incandescent electric light fixture having attached; thereto a device embodying my invention, portions of the said device being shown in section in order that details of the construction may be illustrated. i

Fig. 2is a view in elevation taken at right angles tothe view shownin Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the do vice embodying my invention detached from the lamp structure. v

Referring'to the drawings, 1 designates an incandescent electric light socket of known construction and 2 a glass bulb, also of known construction, having connection therewith. 3 designates a split collar adapted to be secured around the lower end portion of the socket 1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the adjacent ends of the collar being provided with parallel lugs 4 having openings therethrough one of which is screw-threaded for the reception of a screw threaded bolt 5 by means of which. the said ends are drawn together to clamp the collar around the socket 1. The said collar is provided with a laterally extending bracket 8 provided with a housing 9 in which is located a coiled spring 10, the said spring being coiled around acentral rod or pin extending transverselyof the saidhousing, and having its inner end secured to said rod or pin. The housing is provided with an opening as indicated at'12 through which the outer end of the spring 1O projects. The said outer end is bent to form a hook as shown which is in engagement with an eye at the end of a chain 15 which extends over and in contact with aratchet wheel or pulley 16. i The chain consists of a cord of suitable material havin be'adsstrung thereon in known manner. A jacent to its inner end the chain is provided with a bead 17 having a squared or shoulderlike end 18, the'latter being adapted to engage the shoulders or squared ends of the ratchet teeth 19 upon the ratchet pulley or wheel 16.

In order to limit the movement of the chain when it is pulled downwardly I have provided a stop 20 (consisting of a washerlike member) situated a suitable distance 'from the inner end of the chain between a couple'of beads. This stop is adapted to contact with the upper side of a stationary stop 21 supported at one edge of the bracket 8 opposite the housing 9. This stationary "stop consists of a portion or extension of the *said bracket having an opening 22 extending therethrough through which the chain 15 passes. v As the chain is pulled down the stop 20 thereon contacts with the upper end or side of the stationary stop 21 so that the downward movement of the chain is limited. The said stop 20 also serves a further purpose in that it engages the shoulders of the ratchet teeth 19 of the ratchet wheel or pulley 16 and thereby cooperates with the squared or shoulder-like end 18 upon the bead 17 to cause rotation of the ratchet wheel or pulley 16.

When the chain is pulled downwardly it is apparent that rotation of the ratchet wheel or pulley 16 toward the right, in the direction of the hands of a watch, is eflected by reason of the engagement of the part 18 and 20 with the shoulders or the ratchet teeth 19.

The ratchet wheel 16 is provided with an inwardly and radially extending bracket or arm 24 having What may be described as a socket 24: upon its inner end which is adapted to engage with the switch control button 25. The engagement of these parts is' shown quite clearly in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings and it is by means of such engagement that the ratchet wheel or pulley 16. is supported. It is apparent that rotation of the said ratchet wheel or pulley causes a cor-re sponding rotation of the switch control button 25. Rotation of the latter operates the switch in known manner -to turn the light on or out as may be desired.

Upon the releasing of the chain 15 after .zitv has been pulled downwardly the spring 10 rewinds or contracts and draws the chain over and in sliding contact with the inclined or beveled portions, of the ratchet teeth. 19

of the ratchetpulle'y ,or'wheel 16 Without in any way affecting the latter. A stop 26. of washer-like'fo-rm is provided upon the said chain for engaging-with the lower end or side of the stop 21 forlimiting the upward movement of the chain under the i fluenceoithe spring 10. I

It will be readily seen that a device constructed in accordance with my invention may be quickly and easily attached to. the

present form ofelectric light fixture to provide a chain control for operating the switch for turning .on and off the current to therebycontrol the light, v a

Iclaim,: v 111 a device of the character described, the combination of a bracket adapted to. be secured to an electric light fixture adjacent to the switch control button, the said button, a ratchet wheel supported upon said button, means extending over and in contact with said wheel for causing rotation thereof at intervals as desired by pulling upon the same and means supported upon said bracket andhaving connection with said first-named means and operating to hold the latter normally in retracted position.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of an electric light switch control button, a ratchet wheel havinga socket situated substantially at its center in engagement with and supported by said button, a coiled spring supported independently of said wheel, said spring being normally in a contracted state, a ratchet. wheel actuating chain extending over the said wheel in contact with the ratchet teeth and having means for engaging the same to cause rotation of the said wheel when the chain is pulled in one direction, the said chain having connection with said spring, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of an electric light switch control button, an annular member having ratchet teeth upon its outer periphery and having an inwardly extending arm in engagement with said button, a chain extending oversaid annular member and having means, for engaging the said teeth whereby when said chain is. pulled in one direction it causes rotation of said member in a corresponding direction, a coiled spring supported in operative .relationlto said member and having connection with said chain, the

said spring being placed under tension when the said chain is pulled .to rotate the said member and operating;- to returnthe; said chain to normal position when it'is released, the said cha-inupon its-return movement sliding oversaidratchetteeth without alfect- 1: a

ing said annular member; l

4. In combination, an electricqlightifixs ture, a bracket; attached to said fixture, @a coiled spring supported on said brackiehwa switch control button, an annular member secured to said button and supported thereon, and a chain extending over said ann-u lar member for operating the same. said chain having connection at its inner end with the outer e d of said spring, substantially 7-:

as described. 1

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of an electric light switch control member, a ratchet wheel secured upon and supported by said memberan operating chain-extending over said ratchet wheel and having means for engagement with said teeth for-causing rotation ofsaid wheel and said switch control member when pulled in one direction. the said chain when arm being secured to the said switch control member whereby said annular member is supported upon thelatter member, a bracket adapted to be secured to the electric light fixture, the said bracket being provided with a housing located in a plane coincident'with the plane of the said annular member, a

coiled spring situated in said housing and a flexibl membe a ing o ne t on; W th the outer end of saidsprin and extending over In testimony that I claim the foregoing said annular member, t e said flexible men1- as my invention, I have hereunto signed my ber being provided with means for engaging name this 18th day of July, A. D. 1917.

the said annular member to cause revolution --WAYNE S. SEARLES. thereof When the said flexible member is In the presence ofpulled to cause movement in one direction, AUGUST ROEMMELE,

substantially as described. FRANK LEUTHAUSER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Gommlasioner of 2mm.

Washington, D. 0." 

